Let me apologize before I do or say anything else . I made a couple of posts on Instagram about looking for people to create content and help me out a little bit with our socials (I hate socials, I rarely go on them). I think the posts were a little too cryptic and it caused a lot of confusion. So let me speak to why I made those posts and how I see this working.
First of all, they were made spur of the moment. I was frustrated at the shop, feeling completely overwhelmed and thought why in the hell am I making myself crazy when I have so many fabulous followers and talented people around me who do this kind of thing all the time! I know I can creep on you guys, and share things from most of you, but I have been busted and bitched out by techs that didn't appreciate me doing that. So that has made me a little paranoid to say the least. Now moving forward we will be much more careful.
This week at the shop, for whatever reason, really took a lot out of me. I felt like I was running 100mph and getting nowhere. I would would put out one little fire only to have another start. I don't know if it was a short week and I was trying to cram everything in, or the universe was trying to tell me something. Maybe a bit of both. I left the shop on Thursday with my case full of all the things I needed to do at home over the long weekend (in between eating my emotions in chocolate bunnies) trying to catch up on housework, having company come, trying to find some time to recharge and all the other things we do.
I am slowly learning my limits , and how to manage my time and ask for things I need. I am the worst for not asking for help and just saying "I can do it myself" when I literally do not have enough hours in my day to even make a dent. I try to be all the things to everyone, and after a while it gets to be a heavy load. I am learning boundaries, how to set them, how it makes me feel (uncomfortable) and getting used to the idea that it's OK to not be OK. It's OK to need help or need a break, but I do have to ask for it because people don't always know when you need those things. People around you won't always like the boundaries you set, but it's fine. You need to do some things for you too. I am also learning to say No. This is a really hard one for me. I rarely say no to anyone, but I am learning how unhealthy that is.
So this is the part that I ask all of you for help 🥰 Help me in my quest for social media content, help me not lose my marbles at the thought of needing content for 365 days a year on multiple platforms. I am building simple marketing plans, creating schedules and finding cool tools that will help me out. I will share some of these tools in an email a little further down the line (I am still learning the ropes). I want to help all of you that are struggling with content ideas too, posting is a dirty bugger, but I really think that we can create a great partnership and community that will help everyone grow and reach their potential. It's not a competition. Well kind of, but not like you are thinking.
My idea for this program, is in the early stages, and it may change a few times before I am truly happy with it, and I am completely open to suggestions and improvements too, since I will be learning as we go, and some of you will be too, we just need to be patient with one another, and have some understanding.
So here are my thoughts:
- I need content that we can share and create other content with. You need content too.
- Looking for ppl with a passion for nails and love our products.
- You don't need to be crazy talented, just creative and imaginative with your creative. A little goofy helps too.
- You must be a little competitive, but a sense of community should be at the forefront. We all win bigger and better when we work as a team
- You must be willing to share tips and tricks with others on the team, this might be app suggestions or telling someone how you made a certain reel or post. No gatekeeping please
- Be real, authentic and genuine, but not mean.
- Sharing content, not every single thing created or tagged will be shared. DO NOT take offense. Sometimes things will be missed, or maybe we can't share it on our business page because of music copyrights etc. Maybe we are saving things for a later date.
- I encourage you to share content from others that are taking part in this, and to follow one another, it's all about exposure and helping one another other. The more you interact with one another, the further up the feed socials will push you.
I know there are lots of Ambassador programs out there (FYI I seriously dislike Ambassador, so I am trying to think of something else) I would like ours to be a little different. Sure I can set up discount codes that you can stuff at the bottom of your blurb on your socials, but I want there to be some accountability as well. This is where the people fall off. I want you to be engaged, and to work for your rewards.
My plan will go something like this:
- Be fun, and real but always be professional. Take yourself and your career seriously, but have some fun with it.
- Discount codes will be provided for both you, and a different one for your followers. These codes will only be valid for a period of time, and then they will change. The codes may be relevant only for a specific product or maybe the whole order, it will depend on the focus in that time period
- We will offer some free products as a thank you for your amazing content! We value authenticity and engagement, so we'll always be transparent when sharing your posts and occasionally it's not just about the numbers, but because your content really hits home with me.
- For our collaboration to be successful, it's essential that we're all on the same page. If you're inactive, ignore requests for content, gatekeep, get lazy or are unwilling to share the work of others, the codes associated with your accounts, will be invalidated and removed from our site. Our success hinges on mutual cooperation – it's a team effort, not a one-sided gimme grab. We need to work together so we are all successful.
- Please DO NOT feature products purchased from certain off-brand sites in your content along with ours. If you absolutely must use them, let's keep them incognito – think ninja-style hiding when filming! 🤫 After all, suggesting those products would be like recommending a mall shop when people ask for a top-notch nail tech – it just doesn't vibe with our fabulousness! 😎
- Periodically we will have small competitions within our little group, these may end up in being awarded product or maybe another form of compensation, coffee cards, cash who knows exactly.
- Once the team has been chosen (not sure when this will happen exactly), we will provide an action plan for each month. We may set up a closed FB group or IG page so we can communicate that way. I can post requests and plans, even give you ideas, you guys can ask questions, post ideas ask for feedback and it should help to prevent any misunderstandings.
Right now though, I want to encourage everyone to give it a try. I don't care if you are in the industry 1 week or 50 years, can't draw a straight line to save your soul, or whatever. I want to see what is out there. I want to see your sense of humour, how you describe products or techniques, all of those things. Show me YOU. I get to see the nails that everyone creates, I want to see the creative genius behind the nails. The real YOU.
For the month of April, use the hashtag #TPCTO I will look up that hashtag everyday and share from there. At the end of April, I will do a draw from all the contributors, each tag that includes products from our site that are listed and shown off, is equal to one entry. Please don't tag us in a something that doesn't belong to us just to get additional entries, that's shady.
Like I said, this all still in early stages, and bouncing around in my head. It may change a few (like a 100) times over the next little while, but if you are willing to hang out with me and my crazy and see what we can create together, I am game for some fun times. What I am hoping is that we can create a fun and giving community, that my followers follow you and your followers follow me and we can collaborate for total NAIL WORLD DOMINATION 🥸
I want to give back to our community of nail artists, show them my little part of the nail world. I realize I cannot do it alone and I definitely need some help. This is where all of you come in. Some of you have followed instructions from my earlier social posts. I am hoping this email cleared some questions up for all of you.
Remember and think about this "When life feels heavy, remember: it's okay to lean on others and share the load. Strength isn't measured by how much you can carry alone, but by your willingness to reach out and ask for help when you need it most." Together we can make short work of a big list. Together we can all be successful, and share in the Joy and feelings of accomplishment.
I know... Rah! Rah! and all that bullsh!t. But seriously.
Let's give this a go and see where it takes us. 🥰
Thanks again for reading this far, if you are here, then I am hoping that means you are onboard with helping me in my project. I am excited about the prospect, and feel so much better now that I have asked for some help, that is never easy for me.
Hope you enjoyed hanging out with me, and thank you for taking a load off my shoulders. You have no idea how much I truly appreciate it.
XO Kellie
Also , Hoppy Easter, eat all the chocolate, cuz' I know I am.